Earlier this month, the entry level iPad 2 with 3G capabilities was priced at $399, but now the tablet can be purchased for $349, a total savings of $180. The entry level third generation cellular iPad was previously priced at $459, but can now be purchased for $409, a total savings of $170.

The price drop applies to all refurbished second and third generation iPads with cellular capabilities, regardless of storage capacity. With 32GB and 64GB of storage, the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G is priced at $429 and $529, while the 32GB and 64GB versions of the 3rd generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular cost $499 and $579.

Apple is not offering further discounts on the Wi-Fi only versions of the second and third generation iPads, which remain priced at $319 and $379 for 16GB, respectively.

As always, the availability of refurbished products from Apple's online store is subject to rapid change. Refurbished units include the same one-year warranty as standard products, plus a new battery and outer shell.

3rd generation price cuts on refurbished products would probably interest me a bit more if I didn't have a lingering concern about a major aesthetic overhaul on with the rear shell of the next iPad. If there is an aesthetic overhaul previous versions of the iPad will lose value almost immediately.

I'm very happy to see Apple begin to reduce & adjust prices to a more competitive level. It's a great way to make it possible for more people to buy Apple products.

Especially since its my opinion that Apple does an outstanding job on refurbished units. While I cannot speak from first hand experience, those people I've come in contact with over the years,that do own refurbs speak highly about them.

It's been awfully quiet in apple land - think the have something up their sleeve or just spec bumps and thinner bezels?

I think they may be working on something bigger because it is just bad business to hold off this long on almost all product updates and only delaying the tick tock upgrades that Apple has become dreadfully known for.

Or is it a return to the focus on software that made OSX so great originally? Tough to say.

It's been awfully quiet in apple land - think the have something up their sleeve or just spec bumps and thinner bezels?

I think they may be working on something bigger because it is just bad business to hold off this long on almost all product updates and only delaying the tick tock upgrades that Apple has become dreadfully known for.

Or is it a return to the focus on software that made OSX so great originally? Tough to say.

Or they were projecting a disappointing holiday season, so products that were originally planned for Q1 '13 were released in Q4 '12?

Well that's certainly a first world solution. But with an iPhone 5, 13in MacBook Air, and 27in iMac... I don't think buying both is particularly warranted. Probably just going to go with a 64GB Wi-Fi model, maybe even 32GB (I have a 64GB iPad 3 right now, but I don't particularly use it for much aside from taking notes on... but a lighter/thinner iteration could definitely change my computing habits)

EDIT: Also, $929 for a 128GB LTE iPad + $659 for a 64GB LTE Mini is almost $1600 (probably over after tax). That's insane, but more power to ya'!

Agreed. My iPad 2 (aside from a couple of dents on the corners from when I accidentally dropped it) has been working perfectly since I got it almost 2 years ago. It's great. It still has pretty good speed too

Or they were projecting a disappointing holiday season, so products that were originally planned for Q1 '13 were released in Q4 '12? Image

Fair enough but still bad business practice. They emptied the pipeline to make Q4 sales and are now suffering 2 quarters of no product releases and declining profitability (assuming no new products until June).

I do think they are locked in the lab trying to figure something new out - if they aren't then they are in trouble.